Older adults with visual impairments are at greater risk of social isolation and reduced quality of life due to various internal and external factors. However, we can influence the possibilities of integration into society and, consequently, the quality of life, by increasing the level of mobility. In order to identify the needs of an older individual with visual impairment, we must understand the factors that are associated with the mobility of this population. This way we can adapt the orientation and mobility training to each individual, according to his/her wishes and needs.
In this master`s thesis we have specified the specifics and adaptations of orientation and mobility training for older adults with visual impairments. Based on the responses of 35 participants, aged 65 and over, we have identified to which extent older adults with visual impairments travel, if they travel independently, and what factors (social demographic characteristics, features of visual impairment, medical problems, social integration, frequency of falls and fear of falling, autonomy in mobility) contribute significantly to the level of mobility of an individual. Level of mobility was measured by the Life Space Questionnaire. Because mobility is a more complex concept, we included other variables into the measurement, like performing everyday tasks and the impact of weather conditions. By doing that, we included functional as well as social and psychological aspects of mobility in the assessment.
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